Sunday, April 26

A Tootsie Roll Fudge Recipe and a Give-Away

If you've been alive at any point in the last several months, then you've likely heard these phrases ad nauseum. "The Dow is down." "It's time to downsize." "Americans are hunkering down." Down. Down. Down. Ugh. How about a little cheering up, up, up?

Apparently there's a sweet lining in all this gloom and doom: candy. That's right. According to a recent NY Times article by Christine Haughney, as US unemployment has risen so too has Americans' candy consumption. Not just any candy though; the old-fashioned, make--you-feel-like-a-kid-again candy such as Tootsie Rolls, Bit-O-Honey, and Mary Janes.

Why candy? Maybe because the sugar high is soothing. Maybe because it instantly brings to you back to your childhood, which was blissfully free of adjustable rate mortgages and shrinking 401Ks. Maybe because Costco sells 10 pound buckets of the stuff for about $5. Whatever our individual reasons, we're definitely eating more candy. From mom and pop candy shops to candy giants like Hershey's, profits have been sweet.

So you can imagine how happy I was when I received a box of candy from Tootsie Roll Industries that contained many of my childhood favorites such as DOTS, Blow Pops, and, yes, Tootsie Rolls.

It was a blast from the past. The first candy I ate was a black licorice Crow. As soon as my teeth sunk into the sticky, gooey drop, I was instantaneously transported to a 1982 movie theater watching E.T. Then I went around the house all week giddily blowing monster-size pink bubbles with the Dubble Bubble gum, much to Jeff's chagrin. He also found Andes Candies mints on his bed pillow and Tootsie Rolls in his lunch bag. It was a good week.

Today I'm excited to say that you too have an opportunity to taste some Tootsie Roll nostalgia! That's because Tootsie Roll Industries is a hosting a give away on Food Blogga. Click here for the details, then leave your comment below.

Since two people can only eat so many Tootsie Roll midgees (yup, that's what they're called), I decided to get creative and make some Tootsie roll fudge. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. I adapted my mom's amazing peanut butter fudge recipe; it's made with melted Tootsie Rolls, crushed gingersnaps, and ground pecans. It may not stop your stocks from falling, but it sure will make you fret a little less.

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add sweetened condensed milk, butter, and Tootsie Rolls. Stir continuously until butter and candy are completely melted and mixture is thick and smooth. Remove from heat.

Add crushed ginger snaps, vanilla extract, and pecans. Using a rubber spatula, mix until well blended.

Pour fudge into the prepared pan. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.

Slice into 7 equal rows to create 49 square pieces. It's a good idea to use a ruler to ensure equal size pieces. Fudge can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated.

54 comments:

Why Tootsies? Is there any other candy? I love tootsies...especially the pops and the fat rolls that come in the variety pack. When I stock my office with candy, the kids always ask about tootsies and I tell the to only worry about what they see in the jar...(I am think they don't need to worry about the tootsies I stashed in my desk drawer.

I'm certainly a tootsie roll lover. give me the chocolate, fruit or whatever - I love them all! :) I'd love to win this b/c I spend all day at work trying to find candy to satisfy my sweet tooth. This way i can pay back all the people I steal candy from, hehe.

I would LOVE to win all these Tootsie Roll Goodies, because.. MY favorite Goodie is a Tootsie roll Grape Lollipop, I just go crazy for them! But, I have an 18 year old daughter that runs 12 miles a day and she and her friends would go crazy for all these goodies, they run their calories off and this would be such a delight for them! I just want ONE GRAPE Tootsie POP! YUM! LeslieLeslieVeg@msn.comhttp://leslielovesveggies.blogspot.com/

Did you get any of their Flavor-Rolls? The fruit-flavored Tootsie Rolls? They are my absolute favorite... and I'm wondering, since I don't usually eat the vanilla ones in the pack, could they be an equal substitute in your fudge? What a creative idea - love it!

I have been living in Europe for about 22 years. Every time I get back home to the US, only about every two years, I load up my suitcase with the candy favorites I grew up with - yes, Mary Janes, Bit-O-Honey, Candy Kisses, Red Licorice Whips, Jolly Ranchers, and most of all, Tootsie Rolls and Tootsie Pops. I can't get enough of Tootsie Rolls (ah, yes, midgies) and Tootsie Pops. Call it Nostalgia, but there it is. They do so bring me back to those simpler, happier childhood times. But having a "candy drawer" filled with my childhood faves here in France is soothing, comforting and so necessary to get me through my expat life! Husband and kids think I am out of my mind, but there you have it. I think this is the coolest ever give-away! Thanks!

I love Tootsie Rolls, and would really like to win some! I remember eating Tootsie Rolls as a child. They were a big Halloween favorite. I used to save my milk money (sorry, Mom) to buy candy at a little store that was on my way home from school, and a big Tootsie Roll was 1 item I bought often.

I'm surprised my teeth didn't rot as a kid with all the Tootsie candy I ate. Love Tootsie Pops and the Tootsie Rolls, but I really really love the fruity Tootsie Rolls. Wish I could find them year round, but only seem to find them at Halloween.

Ah, Tootsie Rolls ... am I a bad mama because I have scavenged Tootsie Rolls from my kids' Halloween candy every year? Or because I buy three or four bags of them to give out at Halloween ... but those particular bags never seem to make it into the bowl? I do love Tootsie Rolls ... plain old Tootsie Rolls, any size, doesn't matter ... and this fudge WILL be made in my kitchen TODAY! :)

Oh my gosh all that candy looks amazing. I would love to sink my teeth into a Tootsie Roll..my absolute favorite. I have not had one for years...although I have to admit when you mentioned the licorice crows I could actually taste them! My mouth was watering just remembering how yummy they are.

I think you're right. The tough times make people want to curl up in a ball and pretend they're back in childhood again. Your fudge looks terrific! (Please don't enter me, though. We've still got Halloween candy hanging around here.)

I guess it makes sense... I do eat more candy when I'm stressed and it does make you feel better! I love all those oldies but goodies too. I had them all since I lived 2 houses down from a penny candy store in my neighborhood when I was a kid.My sister and I would go everyday after school and fill up on all that wonderful sugar!!!!P.S. the fudge sounds too good :)

Tootsie-Pops are my favorite. I pop one in my mouth and let it dissolve while I ponder my work on the computer. And finally, I reach the center--that chewy, chocolaty prize. I hope I hope I hope I win!Karen B.